Archived decisions

LICENSING BILL - IMPLICATIONS FOR LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

1. The Licensing Bill, currently before Parliament, is intended to reform the law in England and Wales governing the sale of alcohol and the licensing of public entertainment. The proposals include the transfer of the responsibility for the licensing of alcohol sales from Magistrates Courts to local authorities and also, inter alia, changes to the licensing provisions for churches, church halls, village halls, community buildings and public houses. As regards the latter the Bill would remove the exemption whereby up to two people can perform in premises licensed for the sale of alcohol without needing a public entertainment licence, whilst the other venues mentioned would have to be licensed although exempted from fees.

2. The Policy Review Committee considered a report on the Bill and welcomed the transfer of the responsibility for the licensing of alcohol sales but expressed concern at the licensing proposals which would place a bureaucratic burden on many secretaries of local community facilities. The Committee felt that the Government and Hampshire Members of Parliament should be made aware that the County Council shares the concerns of artists, performers and communities concerning the drafting of the legislation and guidance and urged that the law on licensing supports and does not inhibit the strong culture of small scale public performances in a wide range of venues.

3. The Executive Member concurred with the views of the Committee and appropriate letters to the Government and Members of Parliament have been sent.

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